University of Colorado Boulder

Established by Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano in January 2020, the CU Boulder History Project seeks to communicate to the university community CU Boulder’s rich and complicated history through multiple frames using an intersectional perspectives that demonstrate our commitment to inclusive excellence and to the deepening of our institutional memory. 

The goal of project is to provide a complete and accurate telling of CU Boulder’s history, and to draw out new and diverse stories that deepen our understanding of our community’s strengths and flaws. To accomplish this, we are embarking on a process of change through openness, transparency, collaboration, and accountability.

As we look to the past and present to find missing voices, the Chancellor has asked Dr. Polly Bugros McLean from the College of Media, Communication and Information, who has extensive knowledge on CU Boulder and Boulder’s history, to serve as the committee Chair for the project. She will be supported by staff members in my office, faculty, staff, students (graduate and undergrads), and alumni.

The project will also be supported by six working teams who can provide subject matter expertise and institutional perspectives with a convenor who organizes the meetings and maintains a system to share information. Team leaders will also meet monthly with the project chair to guarantee that the research, workflows, and project deliverables can be produced and delivered in a timely manner.